Tag Archives: M/M

Sex is not ‘routine’ any more. There are sex shops decorating the high-street, free porn all over the internet and let’s not even get started on the new BDSM phenomenon. So when things get a little ‘stale’ in the bedroom, what would you do?

Carlie made a suggestion; a suggestion I wanted nothing to do with at first, but she was my wife and I’d have done anything to make her happy. I went along with her plan, even though I really didn’t want to.
It actually worked, for a while.
Until something changed.
Then I wasn’t doing it for her anymore.
Instead, it was all about secret liaisons, stolen moments and the thrill of getting caught.
My life changed overnight and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. Lust is an unstoppable emotion when it takes hold.
Rules are broken.
Mistakes are made.
Lives are destroyed.
Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes, that wish can come true.

Zachary Black was her wish.
…Until he became mine.

“I felt like I’d fucked up a lot in my life, but nothing as monumental as this. Somehow, I’d figured it wasn’t quite as bad if Zach was the one making the first move, but the second, the third? That was all me. At any time I could have, and should have, told him to back off. Told him he was wasting his time because I was a happily married man. And therein lay the issue. Because I wasn’t a happily married man. I was fucking miserable. My wife didn’t really like me, no matter what she claimed. I spent more time at work than at home. I was learning new things about myself that I wasn’t sure I liked, and more than anything, I was falling in love with a man faster than I could think to stop it.”

Wow I have to say, I had a lot of preconceived notions about this book before reading it and let it sit on my kindle since it first came out. After finally biting the bullet and reading it I have to say I really enjoyed it, far more than I imagined I would. I’m excited for book two and to see more of Blake and Zach.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Possible Spoilers🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I wasn’t sure I’d like Blake, the authors note in the beginning coupled with the fact that I detest cheating made me apprehensive when it came to his character. However I really like Blake and truthfully I felt a bit sorry for him. He had a very selfish and manipulative wife and he truly deserved better. He made mistakes for sure but I could see he wasn’t a bad person, a malicious person out for only his own happiness.

Zach was a little harder to like for me honestly. I felt he was a bit of a manipulator at first as well and I had to question his motives on more than one occasion. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where I changed my mind about him but I did start to like him and by the end I felt he could be good for Blake.

Carlie, I can’t stand her and while I hate to rub salt into people’s wounds I must say she deserved what happened to her marriage. She may have once been a good person but we didn’t really get to see it and her personality didn’t seem to go with how Blake was portrayed. Again it must be said she was manipulative, self centered, immature and moody.

As for the story, the cheating/affair, it didn’t resonate that way with me. Firstly so much of this story is about Blake and Carlie and how over the years their marriage began to disintegrate. How they began to want different things and how communication and the time they spent together drastically changed. His job got in the way, her need to show the world her perfect life became her main focus. Then we are introduced to the other man, a man she brought into the mix after manipulating and emotionally blackmailing Blake.

We see Blake questioning new feelings this man stirs in him and how it effects him, what it means to his marriage. The actual cheating is so small compared to the story as a whole that it’s almost not important in the grand scheme of everything that happens. To me at least it’s more about the end of a marriage, discovering who you truly are and what you want and need in life and having the courage to move on and not settle for something just because it’s easier.

Blurb: The deepest scars aren’t the ones that show.
Jacob Shain is your average member of Generation Screwed. He has a boring internship, no cash flow, and a tiny NYC apartment he has to share with Ethan, his much-cooler, tattoo-artist twin brother. Not to mention his love life is DOA. At least, until his brother’s shop hires on a new piercer, and Jacob’s humdrum life takes a turn for the weird.

Cody Turner is gorgeous, funny and kind—everything Jacob wants in a boyfriend. Except for the way he refuses to talk about his past, or where he lives, or anything about his personal life.

When Ethan is arrested while on a mission of mercy, the reason Cody is so tight lipped comes to light. And while Jacob and Cody fight to understand the depth of their feelings for one another, the police dogs catch their scent. So does the local mob.

Now Jacob has to make the hardest choice of his life: stay safe like a good boy, or dive headfirst into a world he barely understands…and hope Cody is there to break his fall.

Warning: Contains a good boy who wants to be bad, a bad boy who longs to be good, bodies that are canvases for living art and high-speed chases with police dogs.

This was not at all what I expected. From the looks of the cover I expected something a little darker or grittier maybe? More of a serious read at the very least. However I found that High Contrast was more of a mixture of humor, romance and a touch of drama and angst.

High Contrast was not just a story of straight laced Jacob, a self confessed nerd and Cody the reformed badboy tattooed piercer. There is an entire cast of great characters from Jacob’s twin brother Ethan, his bestfriend and Ethan’s girlfriend Andi, Ethans business partners Travis and Val and sweet young Priya the tattoo shops counter girl. They are a great group of friends, a pseudo-family and best of all a Scoobyesque gang of wannabe slueths.

I loved the banter even if at times it felt a little immature, especially between Jacob and Ethan who at times I felt might have stolen the spotlight. I was a little disappointed with the “criminal/mob” element, mainly because it fell short. There was a lot of potential there but didn’t get enough page time.

I think this was a good setup for a series and I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book.

Blurb: When Theodore Davenport decides to switch his mundane job for a career, he walks into Holden House Publishing with enthusiasm and determination to succeed. As he settles into his new role, makes new friends, and dreams of making it to the top, everything is going to plan.

Until he meets James Holden, CEO of Holden House.

James Holden hasn’t been able to stop thinking about his encounter with the timid man he met in a club bathroom last week, and when he discovers the one haunting his dreams is an employee, he can’t seem to stop himself from pursuing him.

Just a little fun – that’s what James tells himself. He can’t afford to care for someone who can never reciprocate, not once they find out who he really is. James believes nobody deserves the burden of being attached to him. He’s a complicated man. Damaged. Difficult. Demanding.

Broken.

Is Theodore strong enough to confront James’ demons? More importantly, is James?

(M/M romance. Not suitable for readers under 18 years of age due to language and sexual content. ***Please note*** This book contains scenes of self harm, mental illness and suicidal ideation which may be uncomfortable for some readers.) (less)

Heart wrenching, beautiful read!

The cover captured my attention and I was unable to look away.
The prologue pulled me in and I had to take a breath before I delved into the story. I loved it. The story, the characters, the way the author approached James illness not only in his eyes but from Theo’s pov as well.

James is a complex character, one of those people who you’re not sure whether or not you’re going to like but very quickly you realize there is so much more to him than you’re first able to see. To me these are the best characters. They are flawed, broken but not the cliche “bad boy” character that has been written over and over again. He’s real.

Theo is great as well. I loved his voice, he wasn’t perfect. Again, very realistic. I felt for him and what he was going through as well.

It was beautiful, captivating, sad and sometimes funny. It made me laugh and cry and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone who is willing to pick it up and give it a chance.

This book wasn’t the first from this author that I have read but it is definitely, in my opinion, the best.

Blurb: Ninety- two days. Thirteen weeks. That’s how long it’s been since I lost my love, my best friend. It’s been everything I can do to drag myself out of bed and get back to work, but I know Cooper would want me to move on. I think he’d even be happy if he knew who I want to move on with. The target of my affection, though, may not be so thrilled about my choice.
He’s straight. Or he thinks he is.
A womanizer of the worst kind with a face and body that keeps a steady stream of willing women at his door, he seems happy to work his way through the entire female population. But there’s no mistaking the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention.
One way or another, I’ll show him what he really wants.

This is book four of The Striking Back Series, but can also be read as a standalone novel.

Blurb: Chelsea’s hottie Blake Morgan III has reemerged from a nasty breakup. His marriage was a frigid disaster beyond repair, and he vows to be single—forever. Bruised, but still hot in Prada, he creates his Seven Desires wish list, his sexiest imaginings. Blake soon realizes there’s only one man he may trust to make these uninhibited intentions come to fruition: his best friend Miguel Santana.

Lower East Side multimedia artist extraordinaire Miguel Santana may be known as the cocky Latin stud in the city, but all he’s wanted since college was Blake’s hand in marriage. He was livid when Blake walked down the aisle with the wrong guy. Miguel has his own list titled the Seven Needs, which are quite contrary to Blake’s dirty-boy deeds. They involve serious commitments, which may leave his new-to-the-singles-scene buddy sprinting for the door, destroying any hopes Miguel has for happiness.

Can these two hunks conquer their intimate fears and love one another as only best friends can? Join the star-studded cast in The Manhattanites series and see for yourself!

Reading the previous books in this series is suggested. Reader might have difficulty following the story if approached as a standalone.(less)

Couldn’t finish this one. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and don’t even get me started on the fact that there were way too many characters to keep track of. I am not a fan of more than two or three POV’s in one book, it’s too hard to keep track to who said what.

Blurb: “I feel like I’ve been wearing blinders for my entire life and now they’ve been ripped off and everything’s too bright – too harsh. Part of me wants them back so I only have to see what’s right in front of me.” –Logan

After Logan Bradshaw’s dreams go up in smoke, he’s left broken and haunted by a cruel betrayal from his former business partner, a man he once thought of as a friend. His life as a professional escort helped pay for his future once, so maybe a few more jobs can give him back what he’s lost. And if that means being a third for one night for a wealthy couple living out a ménage fantasy, then so be it. It might just be the final payout he needs to get his life back on track.

Dominic Barretti has everything money can buy, but it can’t save his beautiful young wife as cancer steals her away from him. He also can’t deny her one last request – a ménage encounter with another man. It’s the perfect excuse to meet the man who’s been haunting his dreams. On paper, Logan is the perfect choice to give his wife what she needs, but he doesn’t expect his own fierce desires to flare up when the young man enters their lives.

Dom and Logan don’t know it, but Sylvie Barretti has decided to play matchmaker from beyond the grave. Unfortunately, getting two broken men to find each other makes dying seem like the easy part.

Logan can’t deny his attraction to Dom, but the surprise desire for another man has left him reeling and questioning everything he’s ever known about himself. But when a threat from the past surfaces, will Logan be able to let go of the life he knew and embrace the one he needs?

***This is Book 3 in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone story – no cliffhangers. However, more enjoyment can be gained by reading the series in order:

Blurb: Hollywood is full of dirty secrets, but Carter refuses to be Levi’s.

Retired action star Levi Pritchard has made a quiet life for himself in the sleepy logging town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. But then Hollywood comes to film the wildly popular television series Wolf’s Landing, and Bluewater Bay isn’t so sleepy anymore. His retirement doesn’t stick, either, because he’s offered a part on the show-exactly the kind of complex role he’d always wanted, one that would prove him more than a glorified stuntman. The only catch? He has to stay in the closet-no matter how attractive he finds his costar.Carter Samuels is the critically acclaimed male lead on Wolf’s Landing. And now, the man who inspired him to take up acting-and made him realize he’s gay-is joining the cast, and sparks fly between them instantly. But Carter is out and proud and determined to stay true to himself.Remaining just friends is the only thing to do, as both the studio and Levi’s disapproving, dysfunctional family keep reminding them. Except their friendship deepens by the day, tempting them with what they can’t have but both desperately need.

Okay first let me start by saying that I really like the story, for the most part, there were just some things that bothered me a bit about the characters. They made me mad a few times and while I generally can get either passed or over things it took a little bit away from my enjoyment overall.

I will definitely say I’m excited to read the other books in this series and I keep my fingers crossed that I will enjoy them a little more.

Published November 10th 2014 by Riptide Publishing

Blurb: Buck Ellis’s future seems pretty damn bright. With a full college scholarship in hand, he’s going to ditch Bluewater Bay and pave the way for his kid brother Charlie to do the same. The only fly in Buck’s ointment is his ten-year addiction to his best friend since second grade, his true love, and his Achilles heel: Ari Valentine, Mr. Least Likely to Succeed.

But then Buck’s mother dies, changing everything, and five years later, his future is still on hold. It’s a struggle to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads, and Charlie on the straight and narrow. Buck can’t afford any temptation, especially in the form of the newly returned, super hot, super confident, super successful television star Ari Valentine.

ADHD poster-child Ari Valentine left for Hollywood and lost everything, including his bad reputation. Then the breakthrough role of his skyrocketing career lands him back in Bluewater Bay, to the stunned disbelief of, well, everyone. But there’s only one person Ari longs to impress—the only person who ever really mattered to him, the person he left behind: Buck Ellis.

I definitely enjoyed this story but it was a bit short. I truly loved Ari more so than Buck I think although he did grown on me. I liked the two together especially the fact that they had been such good friends as kids. It made the story feel more real to me.

Ethan may have followed his high school sweetheart to college only to get dumped his first day there, but he’s not going to let that stop him from exploring all his new life has to offer. Sex-only hookups, his photography, new friends and a campus-wide game of zombies vs humans all help keep his mind off his broken heart and move him toward building a new, better life without his ex.And then there’s Wyatt. Mysterious, grouchy—hot. And possibly not gay. But Ethan’s not going to let that stand in the way of figuring out what makes Wyatt tick. New college goal? Get Wyatt into bed and into Ethan’s life.

Step one: arrange a “tutoring” date. Step two: “accidentally” bump into Wyatt as often as possible. Step three: explore the sexy body under that ever-present hoodie. And when their friendship deepens into something neither of them expect, convince Wyatt he’s not just a pity fling or a one-time hookup, but that Ethan is in it for the long haul.

Blurb: When a professional relationship turns personal, it’s impossible to resist the law of attraction.

Alec Rowland is a high-flying lawyer in a London firm whose career is his life. He doesn’t have time for relationships and his sexuality is a closely guarded secret. After picking up a cute guy on a Friday night, Alec’s world is rocked to its foundations when his one night stand shows up in the office on Monday morning—as the new temp on his team.

Ed Piper is desperate to prove himself in his new job. The last thing he needs is to be distracted by a crush on his boss. It’s hard to ignore the attraction he feels, even though Alec’s a difficult bastard to work for.

Both men strive to maintain a professional relationship, but tempers fray, passions ignite, and soon they’re both falling hard and fast. If they’re ever going to find a way to be together, Alec needs to be honest about who he really is because Ed won’t go back in the closet for anyone.

Length: 62,000 words approx

Over too soon!

I really enjoyed The Law of Attraction however I really wished it were a bit longer or had an Epilogue. Their was definitely potential for a second story if this were to become a series and I would be one of the first to read it.